Solomon Islands lashes out at Australia over China security pact criticism

Addressing parliament on Friday, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare pointed out that his country had never been consulted about the Aukus alliance

‘We did not become theatrical or hysterical about the implications this would have for us,’ he said in pointed remarks. ‘We respected Australia’s decision.’

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Manasseh Sogavare, prime minister of Solomon Islands, compared his country’s security pact with China to the Aukus alliance. Photo: AP

Published: 2:23pm, 29 Apr 2022Updated: 9:07pm, 29 Apr 2022

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has lashed out at Australia, as the fallout from a newly-signed security agreement between his country and China continues.

Addressing parliament on Friday, Sogavare said the Pacific island nation was not given prior warning that Australia had signed up to a security agreement with Britain and the United States in 2021 that involved nuclear submarines.

In September, the countries announced the trilateral defence partnership known as Aukus, which allows the countries to share technology covering cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, underwater systems and long-range strike capabilities.

Diesel-powered submarines are seen docked at a naval base in Perth. The Aukus alliance allows for the sharing of nuclear-submarine technology. Photo: EPA-EFE

“The Aukus treaty will see nuclear submarines in Pacific waters. I learnt of the Aukus treaty in the media. One would expect that as a member of the Pacific family, Solomon Islands and members of the Pacific should have been consulted to ensure this Aukus treaty is transparent,” Sogavare said, echoing comments made by China’s foreign ministry.

“I realise that Australia is a sovereign country, which can enter into any treaty it wants to, transparently or not, which is exactly what they did with Aukus.”

“When Australia signed up to Aukus, we did not become theatrical or hysterical about the implications this would have for us,” Sogavare said. “We respected Australia’s decision.”

During recent unrest in Solomon Islands both Australia and New Zealand sent defence force personnel, vessels and police to support the country’s stability.